Getting around Riyadh is easier than many first-time visitors expect, with taxi apps in Riyadh making it simple to travel across the city. Ride-hailing apps are widely used across the city, whether you are heading to work, meeting friends for dinner, or travelling to King Khalid International Airport.
One thing you quickly notice, however, is that most residents do not rely on just one app. It is common to compare prices and waiting times before booking because the quickest or cheapest option can change throughout the day.
Spending an extra minute checking another app can often save both time and money. These are the ride-hailing apps that are worth downloading before you start exploring the city.
Uber
For many people, Uber is the first app they download after arriving in Riyadh, simply because they already know how it works. There is very little learning involved. The app looks familiar, payment works exactly as expected, and booking a ride feels no different from using Uber almost anywhere else in the world.
Dedicated pick-up areas at King Khalid International Airport also make it an easy choice after landing, particularly if it is your first visit to the city. Even if you eventually find yourself comparing prices across several different apps, Uber often remains the starting point. It is familiar, reliable, and easy to use, which explains why so many people continue opening it before anything else.
Careem
For many people living in Riyadh, Careem is more than a ride-hailing app. It is already part of everyday life. Whether it is ordering food, having groceries delivered, or booking a ride across the city, many residents already use Careem several times a week. That familiarity means it often becomes the first app they check when they need a car, simply because they are opening it for other things anyway.
Like Uber, Careem offers different vehicle options depending on your journey, but one of the biggest advantages is how easy it is to compare. Many residents open both apps before booking, choosing whichever offers the better fare or the shorter waiting time. Sometimes that is Careem, sometimes it is Uber, and those are exactly why so many people keep both on their phones.
Jeeny
Not every ride needs to be booked through the biggest app. Jeeny has built a loyal following among residents who like comparing their options before confirming a booking. It may not always be the first app people open, but it is often the next one they check, particularly if fares seem higher than expected or waiting times are longer than usual.
That is really where Jeeny works best. Rather than replacing Uber or Careem, it gives you another option to compare before making a decision. Sometimes it has the better fare, sometimes a driver is closer, and sometimes nothing changes at all.
Spending a few extra seconds checking can make a noticeable difference, which is why many residents keep Jeeny alongside the larger ride-hailing apps.
Kaiian
Ask long-term Riyadh residents which ride-hailing app they check alongside Uber and Careem, and Kaiian comes up surprisingly often. The Saudi-developed platform has grown quickly in recent years and has become a popular choice for getting around the city. Most people do not replace their other apps with Kaiian. Instead, they keep it alongside them, giving themselves another option when comparing fares, waiting times, and driver availability.
That is really where Kaiian stands out. During busy periods, it only takes a few seconds to check whether a driver is closer or whether the fare is a little lower than elsewhere. Sometimes the answer is yes, and sometimes it is not, but that extra comparison is exactly why the app has become part of many residents’ daily routine.
Should You Download More Than One?
The short answer is yes. There is no single ride-hailing app that is always the cheapest or always has the closest driver. Prices change throughout the day, demand rises and falls, and waiting times can vary depending on where you are in the city. That is why so many Riyadh residents compare two or three apps before deciding which one to book.
It quickly becomes part of the routine. Opening another app only takes a few extra seconds, but it can save both time and money. Before long, you stop thinking about which app is “best” and simply choose the one that works best for that particular journey.
Explore The Riyadh Atlas for expert guides on getting around Riyadh, the best places to visit, local transport, and everything you need to make the most of your time in the city.
